Dear Marquette community,
As authorities continue to try to unpack and bring clarity on the March 16 mass shooting that has shocked the Atlanta area and the rest of our nation, we are in prayer with the eight victims – six of whom have been identified as Asian American women.
However, as the Southern Poverty Law Center said in a press release, “While we’re relieved the suspect was quickly apprehended, we’re certainly not at peace as this attack still points to an escalating threat many in the Asian American community feel today.”
It is estimated that Asians and Asian Americans in the United States have reported more than 3,800 hate crimes over the past year.
Physical and verbal attacks against Asian people for no reason other than identity distresses us every bit as much as reports of acts of racial harassment and discrimination against Black, Latinx and Indigenous peoples.
At Marquette University, our Asian student population has nearly doubled over the past ten years, demonstrating the value of a Marquette education to students across cultures. And while we are not aware of any overt threats within our community, as a Catholic, Jesuit university, Marquette is committed to maintaining an environment where racism, racist behaviors and stereotyping – no matter how subtle – are not tolerated.
We urge you at this time to embrace all of our community members who are harmed or made to feel unwelcome at Marquette because of racial and ethnic differences.
If you are the victim of harassment or have observed others mistreating fellow community members, we encourage you to be an active bystander by reporting acts of bias. If you are a student, please submit a bias incident report. More information about reporting harassment or discrimination on campus is below.
Let us take the threat against the Asian and Asian American community seriously by working together to make ours an affirming community.
Sincerely,
Dr. William Welburn
Vice President for Inclusive Excellence
Rev. James Voiss, S.J.
Vice President for Mission and Ministry
The university supports and welcomes all members of the Marquette community. In light of recent events, Marquette especially extends support to those members of our community who identify as Asian American.
Racist behaviors or stereotyping are not tolerated at Marquette. Those who experience harassment or discrimination on campus can report it by:
- Submitting a bias incident report online
- Calling Dr. William Welburn, vice president for inclusive excellence, at (414) 288-8028 during business hours. (Please note: if you choose to leave a message, your call will be returned at the earliest possible time during the next business day.)
- Submit an in-person report by scheduling a meeting with Dr. Welburn. Email william.welburn@marquette.edu to make an appointment.
As a reminder, the following resources are available for those who need support:
- Office of International Education
- Division of Student Affairs
- Counseling Center (students)
- Employee Assistance Program (faculty and staff)
- Campus Ministry (students)
- Faber Center (faculty and staff)